Dr. Ruth Westheimer has passed away at 96.

The popular sex therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, known in Pop Culture as Dr. Ruth has passed away at the age of 96. Pierre Lehu, Westheimer's co-author confirmed the Holocaust orphan's death to PEOPLE on July 13, 2024, stating "It was as peacefully as she could go. She was 96." "It's amazing, there was stuff still going on in her life, and someone wants to make a biopic about her" Lehu continued about his late friend. Although Lehu could not provide any information regarding Westheimer's cause of death, it was confirmed by The New York Times and The Washington Post that the late radio host died peacefully at her home in New York City. It was in the summer of 2023 that Dr. Ruth confided in PEOPLE the details of her life and what surprised her the most about how her life turned out. Westheimer said the moment in her life that surprised her the most was when she became famous. Stating "I have a wonderful daughter, a son-in-law, a wonderful son, and a daughter-in-law, and four wonderful grandchildren."

96-year-old Westheimer was born Karola Ruth Siegel in Wiesenfeld, Germany June 4, 1928. Ten years after Westheimer was born, her father, Julius was removed from the home by Nazis, and six weeks later, her mother and grandmother were loaded onto a train to Switzerland as part of an organized escape for Jewish children to leave Germany, leaving Westheimer an orphan of the Holocaust. Following the conclusion of the war, Westheimer left Germany and headed to Palestine where she was trained by the Israeli Army as a sniper at the age of 17.

From Palestine, Westheimer emigrated to Paris, France to attend the Sorbonne University's Psychology program. Upon graduation, Westheimer emigrated once more to the United States, putting down roots in New York City where she would be married and divorced twice before meeting fellow Jewish refugee, Manfred Westheimer in 1961. Manfred, a telecommunications engineer gracefully became Westheimer's third husband. Ruth and Manfred remained husband and wife for 36 years before Manfreds untimely death in 1997. At this time Dr. Ruth was finishing up her Post-Doctoral research in the field of Human Sexuality. It was then that she began her career at Planned Parenthood training several family planning counselors.

In 1980, Westheimer got the break of a lifetime when WYNY's Community Affairs Manager, Betty Elam proposed to Westheimer after hearing her speak that she should create a call-in radio show about sex education on the public radio station. This radio show was called Sexually Speaking, and after 10 years on air, the show concluded but not before it became the inspiration for several TV and radio shows. It was said that Westheimer answered her callers' questions in not only a clear and educational manner, but a humorous one stating "When people need to learn about oral sex, I would say go buy an ice cream cone and practice." When Sexually Speaking ended, Westheimer began doing lectures and writing books, and over the years, Westheimer earned sexual awards for her work. These awards include a Medal for Distinguished Service from Columbia University and her Doctorate Degree from Trinity College in 2004.

Westheimer is survived by her wonderful children, Miriam and Joel, and her four lovely grandchildren.